Trastornos gastrointestinales en pediatría asociados con la altura. Reporte de dos casos y revisión de la literatura

Upon ascending above 2500 meters sea level, the human body undergoes a series of physiological changes that have been studied during years. These changes undertake various systems including gastrointestinal tract, with diverse clinical manifestations, most mild and therefore little reported and are underdiagnosed.Two pediatric patients who atended to the Pediatric Unit of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (Gastronutriped) in Bogota, in whose we documented symptoms affecting gastrointestinal tract associated with high altitude.Regarding to these cases, a review of the available literature focusing on physiology, clinical manifestations and feasible treatment was made. The final aim of this article is to sensitize to health care professionals working in cities located at high altitudes, to consider this entity as a differential diagnosis in children from places with lower altitude.